Sometimes, the best place to live is where the heart takes us. That may be nearer to family, to our friends, or to the location spot of our dreams. However, it’s necessary to think about all aspects of a potential retirement area. What are you looking for specifically? Walkability? Great hiking trails? A great senior community? You need to also consider how much this area costs, beyond just the price of your potential home. Research the state you choose as well. Some have better benefits for seniors than others, such as good Medicaid or Medicare doctors, financial incentives and more. You always want to live somewhere you enjoy that also provides activities you might wish to be involved in. It’s important to stay within your budget, of course, and not buy something as or more expensive than the home you wish to sell.

Planning Your Move

One of the best things to do to prepare for a move is to make a list. How will you be moving? Will you hire a truck, or a whole crew? What will your budget be? Get estimates before you hire a company, and make sure you shop around. They should come to your home and give an estimation based on what you will be moving, and they should provide proof of liability insurance. The months May through September are the busiest moving times of the year, so avoid them if possible. Whatever month you decide upon, try to move in the middle, as most relocate at the beginning or end. Also, if you’re moving long distance, be sure to research what the weather will be like. Trying to move a household in the rain or snow is difficult at best, and dangerous at worst.

Moving Day Tips

Start early in the morning, as this is the coolest part of the day and allows you the most time to get things done. Keep your movers as informed as possible, as open communication will only make things run more smoothly. Have an overnight kit ready with a pair of clothes, toiletries, even sheets and money for takeout or ingredients for dinner. This way, you won’t have to sort through hundreds of boxes before going to bed. If you have a dog, it’s best to keep them away from the chaos if possible. Seeing movers about may cause them stress, and constant open doors provide escape opportunities. Instead, board them for the day to keep them safe, happy and stress-free.

With the right planning, you may be able to find the home of your dreams for your retirement. When you do, make sure that you’re moving at the right time of year, and use reputable companies. Most importantly, ensure that Spot is well-looked after on moving day so that everything goes smoothly.

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We now have the Evanston IL Real Estate August 2018 report available for your viewing. The stats look good but still shows a seller’s market. The average price for houses has dropped very slightly. The chart at the end of this blog will be very helpful to further analysis the state of Evanston IL Real Estate.

Looking at the big picture shows a tiny gain of new listings as compared with one year ago this time. New listings for all types of properties are up.7%. Closed sales are up 4.4%. The change in inventory of all types of property is up 3.9%.

New listings of single-family homes in Evanston are up 14.1%. Under contract properties are up 9.1%. Closed sales are up 1.8%. The average sales price for an Evanston single family house is down by 1.6% to $559,000. The average market time before a contract is up 2.9% to 71 days. These are excellent figures.

Evanston Condominiums are quite well too. New listings are down 9.8%. Under contract condos are down 9.3%. Closed sales are up 6.8%. The average sales price for an Evanston IL Condo is up 6.9% to $279,298. The average market time is up 43.5% to 66 days.

This report is a look at a 30-day time frame ending September 14, 2018. We are comparing the data to the same time last year. This is a good way to judge who the Evanston IL Real Estate market is doing for consumers.

Evanston IL Real Estate August 2018

This report has come to you from Coldwell Banker Evanston. We would be happy to answer any of your real estate questions and enjoy helping first time buyers. You can reach us at (800) 858-7917 day or night.

Take a look at our website Coldwell Banker Evanston too. There is much you can learn about property and many questions will be answered for you.

Many seniors experience debilitating injuries from falls every year, sometimes even resulting in death. Exercise can play a vital role in preventing falls. By incorporating fall prevention exercise options into seniors’ lifestyles, they can live fuller, healthier lives.

Scary statistics. Falls are the most common cause of injury in older adults. In fact, falls are the leading cause of senior deaths due to traumatic brain injury, and some researchers estimate up to half of senior falls result in injuries of some sort. Many seniors break hips in falls, and 40% of those who do experience complications which lead to death, such as developing pneumonia while trying to recover from the fall.

Further implications. According to some statistics, as many as 1 in 3 seniors experience falls each year. Once an elderly person falls there is often a ripple effect. Confidence and health can wane, with seniors reining in their activity levels out of fear of falling. This can quickly lead to a reduced quality of life, including less independence, isolation, loneliness, and reduced exercise, which in turn can lead to less strength, more balance issues, and added health concerns.

Why do seniors fall? There are several issues which contribute to the risk of falling, but the top concerns are simply slipping and tripping. Due to failing balance, strength and perception, seniors are more inclined to become off-balance, and then to be unable to correct themselves as they fall. In other words, when younger people slip they take a few steps and correct themselves, whereas catching themselves and becoming upright again isn’t typically an option for seniors due to their reduced capacities. As Verywell Health points out, many times added to the situation are other issues such as arrhythmias or medications which can cause dizziness. Altogether, there is a perfect storm.

Exercises that help. Many seniors can benefit from the addition of fall prevention exercises. Medicare.org recommends three categories of exercises which can help prevent falls:

Balance exercises. Balance training can strengthen the muscles that help seniors to remain stable. Seniors at risk for falls should add 3 days per week of balance exercise training, in addition to a proven fitness program for fall prevention. Balance exercises include things like standing on one foot for several seconds while holding a chair for balance, and walking heel-to-toe for 20 steps.

Step exercises. Participating in an aerobic step exercise program will strengthen leg muscles and encourage knee flexibility. Participants should use a sturdy, broad, elevated step platform. Exercises include stepping onto and off the platform during the workout routine.

Strength exercises. Enhancing strength is important for fall prevention so seniors are strong enough to catch themselves if they become off-balance. Exercises can include resistance band training, weight training, or simple body weight resistance exercises. Those with access to a gym or weight equipment can also use weight machines.

Easing into a program. While many people believe physical complications leading to falls go hand-in-hand with old age, as explained by some professionals it’s possible for seniors to begin an exercise program to avoid that situation. For seniors who never exercised before, adding a fitness program to their lives may seem overwhelming. One suggestion is to focus on the casual and routine aspects of fall prevention exercises. All of the primary exercises above can be performed in the comforts of home. Some are subtle enough that seniors can do their exercises while engaging in other activities, such as washing dishes or standing in line at the grocery. Seniors at risk for falls should be encouraged to perform the exercises as often as possible, making it a part of their daily lives. Note that experts cited by AZCentral suggest discussing each individual situation with a physician before beginning an exercise program.

Exercise Can Help Prevent Falls in the Senior Population

Fall prevention is possible Falls pose a serious threat to seniors. Through balance, step and strength exercises, seniors can reduce their risk of injury and even death. A simple, preventative fitness program can greatly increase quality of life for older adults.